Letters to the Editor

Lingle can't have it both ways on Dobelle

In the novel "Animal Farm," once the pigs took over the government of the farm, they soon became indistinguishable from the previous human regime. Linda Lingle should apply the same standards to UH President Evan Dobelle as she does to HFD Capt. Richard Soo.

In her "Q & A" with this newspaper, she responds to a question regarding Capt. Soo's administrative trouble by stating "Now that I won, I don't think he's in trouble anymore." The preceding answer implies that any disciplinary action against him was politically motivated and will now be politically resolved.

But then she makes veiled threats about the tenure of President Dobelle: "Some of my guys were very upset about it. They'd make a comment about his future." Lingle further states that "He (President Dobelle) did something, in my opinion, highly inappropriate, unnecessary."

Mr. Soo and Mr. Dobelle are very "public faces" of their respective government organizations. It is either wrong for them to enter the political fray, or not. Even Governor-elect Lingle cannot have her cake and eat it, too.

S. Yanke
'Aiea

Dobelle shouldn't have endorsed Hirono

I applaud Governor-elect Lingle for putting people like Evan Dobelle in their place. He showed that he was a politician by supporting Mazie Hirono in the election, but decided to "play politics" by giving Lingle a courtesy call just in case she won the election, which she did.

I loved the response, and she was absolutely right in doing it. He had no business in endorsing any candidate, be it Hirono or Lingle. A person in his position should have remained silent about his choice — especially when UHPA, whose members work under him, supported the "other guy."

The arrogance that permeated this state for years has finally gotten a taste of humble pie. I look forward to the next four years under Lingle. I know she'll have a tough time because of the partisan Legislature, but I'm happy with the start. Good luck, Gov. Lingle, and congratulations.

Lopaka Ornellas

Don't be in a rush for an elevated lane

Linda Lingle: Don't jump the gun. Hawai'i is a place of beauty, of lush green valleys. By putting an elevated lane over the existing freeway, you'll devastate a city known for magnificent views.

Look at your plans again, and even though it might be economical to save commuters a few moments off their rush-hour commute, think about the impact, environmentally and to the local economy. Imagine the arriving tourists, looking out their airplane window, seeing the bulky highway sticking out from the landscape. Realize they didn't come to Hawai'i to see such an eyesore. There are other solutions, but it's going to take some practical thinking.

Linda Lingle, remember: You are not the governor of some Mainland metropolis.

We are a state rich in culture and tradition. Don't build something and charge us for it. We like to share things — it's our island way. Keep the aloha spirit and work with us, the community, before considering significant changes to our island home. It's a "New Beginning," and let's take each step together.

Jordon Kimura

There are two other ways to alleviate traffic

Although I think Linda Lingle has the right concept, I don't think a toll road, used only by high-occupancy vehicles, would be used much.

Most people want the independence of having their own cars available, just in case they have an errand to do in the middle of the day, or they want door-to-door transportation, thus the high-occupancy-vehicle concept will never work.

I've always considered two other concepts that could alleviate traffic:

• An elevated highway from (at a minimum) Halawa to Kapahulu, which would improve traffic. My idea differs from Lingle's in that I believe the elevated portion should either include only westbound traffic (with eastbound traffic traveling below), or perhaps east- and westbound traffic, but the number of on- and off-ramps would be minimal, so that traffic that is going from Honolulu to Central or Leeward O'ahu could just pass through downtown.
• An elevated monorail-type train, right down the center of the existing freeway. Of course, along with the train, there would have to be a supporting bus or trolley system that would transport people from the train stations to their final destination. With an elevated train, there would never be a slowdown due to vehicle accidents, and the number of cars on the highway (to include buses) would be reduced. Of course, the supporting bus system would have to be highly efficient and capable of transporting commuters to almost anywhere downtown, so that the walk to work is minimal.

The ultimate public transportation will be a system of trains, boats, buses and trolleys that is so efficient that commuters know that they can get to any destination with minimal wait, without hassle, and on-time.

Quincy Kelly
Mililani

Legislators already are playing politics

Linda Lingle has not even been sworn in, and already legislators have adopted the attitude "we will listen to her ideas but do not expect anything to come of them." Already they are gearing up to be another "do nothing" Legislature: posturing, partisan, playing politics.

How about a different attitude: positive, pro-active, productive? They have the opportunity to do good — maybe great — things for the people of Hawai'i — all the more now because of someone who will lead the state with good, strong, definite ideas and plans.

Why not take this opportunity and make good, positive changes happen?

Anne Sabalaske

A lesson learned

Gov. Cayetano finally showed us that he really was "the education governor" because he taught the people of Hawai'i their ABCDs: Anyone But Cayetano's Democrats.

Kevin Y. Uyeda
Mililani

Shepherd missed the point in review

I've read several letters both in support and opposition to Gregory Shepherd's review of Elizabeth Buyers' "And Then There Were None." Permit me to add my voice to that stew.

I see an insignificant nexus between Buyers' presentation and Shepherd's review. I did not see pictures of "starving children" in the presentation; starving children may be a Western tradition with which Shepherd is familiar, but it has never existed in the Hawaiian culture. I did not hear "evil haole" in the presentation; perhaps Shepherd's ear is finely attuned to his own conscience.

I am Hawaiian, and in some respects feel historically victimized; however, I do not wear the mantle of victimhood. Victimization is a condition imposed by others; victimhood is a condition imposed by one's self.

Shepherd misses the point — that we are all losers to the extent that we do not arrest the further loss of our Hawaiian culture. The ubiquitous and cherished aloha spirit is uniquely Hawaiian; it is doubtful that this spirit will long survive the demise of its authors.

Ultimately, Shepherd's critique becomes the vehicle by which he describes himself. He attempts to weave fine tapestry from the rags of half-truths. The shrillness of his review is aptly a "tendentious harangue."

Phillip Murray
Pearl City